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Why Go Hybrid?
An Introduction to global energy issues and how hybrid vehicles could help with the crisis
What is the problem?
Fossil fuels & the Energy Crisis
Politics Environment
http://www.shifting-gears.com/shifting_gears7.24.2005.html
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels- hydrocarbon deposits, such as petroleum, coal, or natural gas, derived from living matter of a previous geologic time and used for fuel
The amount of fossil fuels is limited due to the lengthy process of forming them
Fossil fuels, when used, create emissions that are harmful to the environment
Fossil fuels are a Nonrenewable Energy Source Americans are most dependent on #1Oil, #2 Coal, and #3
Natural Gas
Peak Oil
Peak Oil-point where oil extraction reaches its peak and the supply begins to decline
Have we reached peak oil?– We can only speculate
Bad News!– We won’t know until after the fact– We have no way of knowing when we reach peak
oil until it is too late and supplies begin to run out
http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/02/markets/peak_oil/
An example of a peak oil estimate from the Energy Information Administration (EIA)
The BIG Question: When will we run out of our
nonrenewable energy?
Predications range between 2074-2111 We need to plan now Develop alternative fuels Decrease reliance on fossil fuels
http://www.spe.org/specma/binary/images/2919957WORLDGASRESERVES.gif
Social Issues
U.S. politics and international relations U.S. demand for oil forces it to buy oil from other nations Dependency for oil puts the nation at risk during wartime Decreasing availability of oil is a huge problem for
developing nations that are very dependent on fossil fuels Developing nations do not have the money to develop
alternatives to fossil fuels By using hybrids we become less reliant on other nations!
What do we do?
Find an alternative fuel? Develop a more efficient way of using
current fuel? Keep living life like nothing is wrong?
Why go hybrid?
Vehicle Type
Base Fuel
Fuel Processing
EngineWell-to-Wheel Efficiency, %
Iso-Octane - Spark Ignition 16.1 - 19.4
Diesel - Diesel 21.4 - 24.7
Iso-Octane -Spark Ignition, Optimal Hybrid
24.9 - 29.5
Diesel -Diesel,
Optimal Hybrid32.3 - 37.1
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle
MethaneIndustrial Steam Reforming into
Hydrogen
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
31.9 - 40.8
Conventional
Hybrid Vehicle
Cost Time
$ Now
>$ Now- 5 Years
*Total Fuel Cycle Impacts of Advanced VehiclesStodolsky, Gaines, Marshal, An, Eberhart
$$$$$$ 10-20 Years
To go hybrid or not to go hybrid…
Some people feel switching to hybrid vehicles is the answer to the energy crisis
Others are not so sure hybrids are the answer
Now let us compare the pro-hybrid and no-hybrid groups
GO hybrid!
Tax incentives– The Federal tax incentive can be thousands of $– An individual in the 27% tax bracket can save $500/yr– Some state and local gov’ts have developed their own
incentives Free parking for hybrid owners in Los Angeles, CA
Fuel efficiency – Hybrids can be more efficient than IC vehicles but the driver
needs to be a responsible driver
Go hybrid!
Hybrids run cleaner– Burn less fuel, therefore create fewer emissions– Reduce GH gases up to 90%– Some hybrids can run solely on their electric
engines, creating no tailpipe emissions at all
Go hybrid!!
Look like normal vehicles– Lexus RX 400h– Honda Accord
Hybrid– Ford Escape
Hybrid SUV
Honda Accord Hybrid, http://autoweb.drive.com.au/cms/A_101888/newsarticle.html
GO hybrid!!
Lower dependence on foreign oil
Hybrids run quieter Feel good factor
– Doing your part to reduce energy crisis
– Save $$ in a time of rising gas prices
NO hybrid! – A different view
Some drawbacks to hybrid vehicles exist To be an informed citizen, one should be
aware of other perspectives on this issue
NO hybrid!
Hydride-nickel batteries– Heavy– Costly– No plan for disposal
Hybrids are expensive– Consider both U.S. and other nations– What are developing nations supposed to do who may not
be able to afford the technology?
Tax breaks will stop by 2007
NO hybrid!
Hybrids are expensive– Consider both U.S. and other nations– What are developing nations supposed to do who
may not be able to afford the technology?– Brings up a lot of issues with foreign aid– U.S. cannot develop hybrid technology in a
bubble
NO hybrid!
Long wait lists to buy hybrid Hybrids weigh up to 300 lbs more than IC
vehicles– Increased weight results in lost horsepower
Reliability Unknown
Conclusions
An alternative to traditional IC cars should be developed for several reasons– Energy crisis– Environmental – Cost of oil
Want to learn how a hybrid works?
http://kpix.autobytel.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_id_int/132